I will be visiting Ayutthaya with my six-year old daughter for a few days in February.
I am wondering what's the best way of getting around town and the ruins with her. Are there any bikes with a child seat available and are the roads safe enough to cycle with a child? Or if it's safer to walk, how far is it between each site? Are there an
It’s good to know that you will be spending some time with your child in Ayutthaya. Being there for a few days gives you plenty of time to explore Ayutthaya in different ways and enjoy this old city and its way of life. So many tourists just visit as a day trip from Bangkok or pass through it on the way to the north.
As for your question, I would say you won’t be spoiled for choice in term of bicycles. It’s not easy to find a bike rental shop that provides child seats and some shops offer rather old bikes. However, I would recommend asking at one or two shops as an enterprising owner might well have what you need.
Even if you are a good cyclist, you need all your wits about you riding alongside side the traffic, as roads in the old city don't have bike lanes. In addition, most of the temple sites don't allow bicycles in, so you have to park outside and walk in. However, it is pleasant cycling in the courtyards of those riverside temples that allow it then taking time to relax by the river.
It’s okay to walk around Bung Praram, visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the Mongkol Bopit Buddha Image and the nearby park. But in the tropical climate with a fierce sun, it's not easy to walk everywhere in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Many important temples including Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Phanan Choeng, Wat Chai Wattanaram are not on the main Ayutthaya island, and out of walking distance.
My advice would be to hire a local tuk tuk to take you around. The rate is about Bt200 per hour. You can mix different modes of transport if you prefer, cycling late afternoon or early evening to watch sunset and go for dinner, and hire a tuk tuk during the day. You might opt for walking either in the morning or the evening to visit a local market. Alternatively, you can go for a dinner boat ride at one of Ayutthaya riverside restaurants and enjoy the view of the old ruins at night.
I need guidance about bargaining at local markets. I have never done this before and feel quite nervous about it.
I don’t want to pay more for shopping than others, but don't want to offend local traders either. Thanks in advance for your advice. Sandra
It’s very easy these days to shop in malls and department stores where prices are fixed, and there is no need to bargain. But market shopping will give you a true cultural experience and bargaining is a key part of it.
Markets are where the majority of Asian people shop and they are always packed with small carts and lined with small stores. It’s true that some stall keepers will take advantage of a foreigner who has little idea about the price of items, marking up their prices in the belief all tourists are rich. But this doesn’t apply to every market. It really depends on where you shop.
If you go to Khao San Road or Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, the first prices from sellers are usually not too inflated. You can try to bargain a little with them. It’s fun and will be good practice for you.
However, if you find yourself buying something and have no idea about the price, the first rule is to bargain with a big smile, cutting the price down by 50 per cent for a start. You can watch the reaction from the seller and wait for his or her response, or type the price on a calculator. Don’t get irritated with sellers. If you don’t like the prices or don’t trust them, simply walk away. Have fun!
